Audio Headphones for Virtual Reality Head-Mounted Display

ABSTRACT

An audio headphone to couple to a strap for a head-mounted display is disclosed. The audio headphone includes a headphone speaker, a strap connector, and a four-bar linkage coupled to the strap connector to provide movement of the headphone speaker with respect to a user&#39;s ear. The four-bar linkage comprises a first member coupled to the strap connector via a first joint, a second member coupled to the first member via a second joint, a third member coupled to the second member via a third joint, and a fourth member coupled to the third member. The fourth member has first and second sides that are coupled to the first member via a fourth joint.

RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.14/627,639, filed Feb. 20, 2015, entitled “Audio Headphones for VirtualReality Head-Mounted Display” which application is incorporated byreference herein in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This application relates generally to wearable technology and virtualreality technology, including but not limited to an audio headphone fora virtual reality head-mounted display.

BACKGROUND

Virtual reality head-mounted displays have wide applications in variousfields, including engineering design, medical surgery practice, militarysimulated practice, and video gaming. For example, a user wears avirtual reality head-mounted display integrated with an audio headphonewhile playing video games so that the user can have an interactiveexperience in an immersive virtual environment.

However, it may be difficult for a user to properly adjust andcomfortably wear the head-mounted display and the integrated audioheadphone using the existing virtual reality technology, which maynegatively affect the user's experience.

SUMMARY

The embodiments of the present disclosure provide an audio headphone tocouple to a strap for a head-mounted display. In accordance with someembodiments, an audio headphone includes a headphone speaker; a strapconnector; and a four-bar linkage coupled to the strap connector toprovide inward and outward movement of the headphone speaker withrespect to a user's ear. The four-bar linkage comprises a first member,a second member, a third member, and a fourth member. The first memberhas a first end portion coupled to the strap connector via a firstjoint; the second member has a first end portion coupled to a second endportion of the first member via a second joint; the third member has afirst end portion coupled to a second end portion of the second membervia a third joint, the third member comprising a rigid pole extendingfrom the second member to the fourth member and surrounded by an elasticspring; and the fourth member has a first portion coupled to the rigidpole and first and second sides that are connected by the first portionand that extend along a vertical dimension. The first member is furthercoupled to the first and second sides of the fourth member via a fourthjoint. The fourth member has a second portion coupled to the strapconnector via a fifth joint.

In accordance with some embodiments, a head-mounted system providesvirtual reality experience for a user. The head-mounted system comprisesa head-mounted display; a strap system for mounting the head-mounteddisplay on the user's head; and first and second audio headphonescoupled to the strap system and integrated with the head-mounteddisplay. The strap system comprises first and second flexible segmentsthat are stretchable; first and second rigid guide segments coupled tothe first and second flexible segments respectively, the first andsecond rigid guide segments further connected to the head-mounteddisplay, wherein the first and second flexible segments are stretchablewithin the first and second rigid guide segments respectively along thelateral dimension so as to adjust the strap system in accordance withthe user's head; and at least one semi-rigid segment, coupled to thefirst and second rigid guide segments, to conform to a portion of theuser's head, the at least one semi-rigid segment comprising arc portionsto extend from above the user's ears to below the user's occipital lobe.Each of the first and second the audio headphones comprises a headphonespeaker; a strap connector coupling the audio headphone to the first orsecond rigid guide segment of the strap system; and a four-bar linkage,coupled to the strap connector to provide inward and outward movement ofthe headphone speaker with respect to a user's ear. The four-bar linkagecomprises a first member, a second member, a third member, and a fourthmember. The first member has a first end coupled to the strap connectorvia a first joint; the second member has a first end coupled to a secondend of the first member via a second joint; the third member has a firstend coupled to a second end of the second member via a third joint, thethird member comprising a rigid pole extending from the second member tothe fourth member and surrounded by an elastic spring; and the fourthmember has a first portion coupled to the rigid pole and first andsecond sides that are connected by the first portion and that extendalong a vertical dimension. The first member is further coupled to thefirst and second sides of the fourth member via a fourth joint. Thefourth member has a second portion coupled to the strap connector via afifth joint.

In accordance with some embodiments, an audio headphone arm to couple toa strap for a head-mounted display comprises a four-bar linkage toprovide inward and outward movement of a headphone speaker with respectto a user's ear, and a frame to couple to the headphone speaker. Thefour-bar linkage comprises a first member, a second member, a thirdmember, and a fourth member. The first member includes a bend at a midportion; the second member has a first end coupled to an end of thefirst member via a first joint; the third member has a first end coupledto a second end of the second member via a second joint, the thirdmember comprising a rigid pole extending from the second member to thefourth member and surrounded by an elastic spring; and the fourth memberhas a first portion connected to the rigid pole and first and secondsides that are connected by the first portion and that extend along avertical dimension, the mid portion of the first member coupled to midportions of the first and second sides of the fourth member at a thirdjoint. The four-bar linkage is to couple to a strap connector through anopening in the frame. The frame is to slide upward and downward withrespect to the four-bar linkage.

Various advantages of the present application are apparent in light ofthe descriptions below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the various described embodiments,reference should be made to the Description of Embodiments below, inconjunction with the following drawings. Like reference numerals referto corresponding parts throughout the figures and description.

FIGS. 1A-1B are perspective views of an audio headphone for ahead-mounted display in accordance with some embodiments.

FIGS. 2A-2C are perspective views of a plurality of components of anaudio headphone in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 3A is a perspective view of an audio headphone at bi-stable statesin accordance with some embodiments.

FIGS. 3B-3C are perspective views of a four-bar linkage coupled with astrap connector of an audio headphone in accordance with someembodiments.

FIGS. 3D-3E are perspective views of a plurality of members of afour-bar linkage and a strap connector of an audio headphone inaccordance with some embodiments.

FIGS. 3F-3G are perspective views of a four-bar linkage comprising aspring cover and coupled with a strap connector of an audio headphone inaccordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 4A is a perspective view illustrating rotational motions of anaudio headphone in accordance with some embodiments.

FIGS. 4B-4E are perspective views of a mount and a strap connectorcoupled with a four-bar linkage of an audio headphone in accordance withsome embodiments.

FIG. 5A is a perspective view illustrating sliding motions of an audioheadphone in accordance with some embodiments.

FIGS. 5B-5C are perspective views of a frame and a strap connectorcoupled with a four-bar linkage of an audio headphone in accordance withsome embodiments.

FIG. 6A is a perspective view of a strap system for a head-mounteddisplay in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 6B is a perspective view of a head-mounted display systemcomprising a strap system coupled with a head-mounted display inaccordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 6C is a perspective view of a head-mounted system comprising ahead-mounted display system coupled with audio headphones in accordancewith some embodiments.

Like reference numerals refer to corresponding parts throughout theseveral views of the drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Reference will now be made to embodiments, examples of which areillustrated in the accompanying drawings. In the following description,numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide anunderstanding of the various described embodiments. However, it will beapparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that the various describedembodiments may be practiced without these specific details. In otherinstances, well-known systems, methods, procedures, components,circuits, and networks have not been described in detail so as not tounnecessarily obscure aspects of the embodiments.

It will also be understood that, although the terms first, second, etc.are, in some instances, used herein to describe various elements, theseelements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are used onlyto distinguish one element from another. For example, a first segmentcould be termed a second segment, and, similarly, a second segment couldbe termed a first segment, without departing from the scope of thevarious described embodiments. The first segment and the second segmentare both segments, but they are not the same segment.

The terminology used in the description of the various embodimentsdescribed herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodimentsonly and is not intended to be limiting. As used in the description ofthe various described embodiments and the appended claims, the singularforms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms aswell, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will also beunderstood that the term “and/or” as used herein refers to andencompasses any and all possible combinations of one or more of theassociated listed items. It will be further understood that the terms“includes,” “including,” “comprises,” and/or “comprising,” when used inthis specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers,steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude thepresence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps,operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof

FIGS. 1A-1B are perspective views of an audio headphone 200 for ahead-mounted display in accordance with some embodiments. The audioheadphone 200 as shown in FIGS. 1A-1B can be coupled to a strap (e.g., astrap system 100 in FIG. 6A) for a head-mounted display (e.g., ahead-mounted display 710 in FIG. 6B) and integrated with thehead-mounted display to provide audio signals. For example, the audioheadphone 200 can be attached to the strap and integrated with thevirtual reality head-mounted display to provide an immersive 3D visualand audio experience to the user.

FIGS. 2A-2C are perspective views of a plurality of components of theaudio headphone 200 in accordance with some embodiments. As shown inFIGS. 2A-2C, the audio headphone 200 comprises a headphone speaker 210configured to provide audio signals to the user's ear. The headphonespeaker 210 can be an on-ear headphone, an around-ear headphone, anover-ear headphone, an in-ear headphone, or any other suitable style.

As shown in FIGS. 2B-2C, the audio headphone 200 also comprises a strapconnector 220 and a four-bar linkage 230 that are coupled to each other.The audio headphone 200 further comprises a frame 240 that can becoupled to the headphone speaker 210 as illustrated in FIGS. 1A-1B.Optionally, the audio headphone 200 comprises a mounting bracket 250that can be coupled to the strap connector 220 and is connectable to thestrap for the head-mounted display. The audio headphone 200 may alsocomprise a frame cover 260 and a spring cover 270.

FIG. 3A is a perspective view of the audio headphone 200 at bi-stablestates in accordance with some embodiments. In some embodiments, thefour-bar linkage 230 as coupled with the strap connector 220 allows theaudio headphone 200 to pivot in the Y-Z plane inward and outward withrespect to the user's ear between bi-stable states.

As shown in FIG. 3A, the bi-stable states include a first stableposition 202, e.g., an in-use position 202, and a second stable position204, e.g., an out-of-use position 204. When the audio headphone 200 isconnected to a strap mounted on a user's head, the headphone speaker 210contacts the user's ear when in the in-use position 202 (assuming itdoes not contact the user's ear before reaching the in-use position 202,in which case it would not reach the in-use position and instead wouldpress on the user's ear) and is clear of the user's ear in theout-of-use position 204. In some embodiments, the in-use position 202 isat a position inward from the vertical plane (e.g., the X-Z plane) witha rotation angle a in a range from −1° to −10°. For example, the in-useposition 202 is at −5° inward from the vertical plane (e.g., the X-Zplane). In some embodiments, the out-of-use position 204 is at aposition outward from the vertical plane (e.g., the X-Z plane) with arotation angle β in a range from 25° to 35°. For example, the out-of-useposition 204 is at 28° outward from the vertical plane (e.g., the X-Zplane). In FIG. 3A, the rotation angle in the clockwise direction ispositive, and the rotation angle in the counter-clockwise direction isnegative.

FIGS. 3B-3C are perspective views of the four-bar linkage 230 coupledwith the strap connector 220 of the audio headphone 200. FIGS. 3D-3E areperspective views of a plurality of members of the four-bar linkage 230and the strap connector 220. In some embodiments, the four-bar linkage230 comprises a first member 310, a second member 320, a third member330, and a fourth member 340. FIGS. 3F-3G are perspective views of thefour-bar linkage 230 comprising the spring cover 270 in accordance withsome embodiments.

As shown in FIGS. 3B-3E, in some embodiments, the first member 310 is arigid member coupled to the strap connector 220 via a joint 301 (e.g.,FIG. 3B). In some embodiments, the joint 301 is a hinge joint, such as aknuckle joint. For example, as shown in FIG. 3D, an end portion 311 ofthe first member 310 is perforated with an eye that can fit between twoperforated portions (e.g., projections) 223 of the strap connector 220.A pin 224 fastens the end portion 311 of the first member 310 to theperforated portions 223 of the strap connector 220 by inserting the pin224 through the eyes to allow pivoting of the first member 310 relativeto the strap connector 220 at the joint 301.

As shown in FIG. 3C, in some embodiments, the second member 320 is arigid member coupled to the first member 310 via a joint 302. As shownin FIGS. 3D-3E, the second member 320 has two end portions 321 and 323that are opposite to each other. In some embodiments, each of the endportions 321 and 323 has two perforated projections. In someembodiments, the joint 302 is a hinge joint, such as a knuckle joint.For example, as shown in FIG. 3E, an end portion 314 of the first member310 is perforated with an eye that can fit between two perforatedprojections on the end portion 321 of the second member 320. A pin 322fastens the end portion 314 of the first member 310 to the perforatedprojections of the end portion 321 of the second member 320 by insertingthe pin 322 through the eyes to allow pivoting between the first member310 and the second member 320 at the joint 302.

In some embodiments, the third member 330 comprises one or more rigidpoles 332 extending from the end portion 323 of the second member 320 toa portion 341 of the fourth member 340. In some embodiments, when thethird member 330 comprises a plurality of rigid poles 332, theindividual rigid poles are parallel to each other. Each of the one ormore rigid poles 332 is surrounded by an elastic spring 331. In someembodiments, the one or more elastic springs 331 of the third member 330provide forces to pivot between the bi-stable states and hold at thein-use position 202 or the out-of-use position 204 as illustrated inFIG. 3A.

As shown in FIGS. 3B, 3F and 3G, the third member 330 is coupled to thesecond member 320 via a joint 303. For example, the spring cover 270comprises a front cover 271, a rear cover 272, and a top perforation 273as shown in FIG. 3F. The front cover 271 comprises a plurality ofgrooves 274 on the inside of the front cover 271 for resting the rigidpoles 332 surrounded by the elastic springs 331 of the third member 330.The rear cover 272 includes a plurality of holes 275 beneath the topperforation 273 for inserting the rigid poles 332 to couple the thirdmember 330 with the spring cover 270. A pin 324 (e.g., as shown in FIGS.3D-3E) fastens the top perforation 273 of the spring cover 270 to theperforated projections on the end portion 323 of the second member 320by inserting the pin 324 through the eyes to couple the spring cover 270with the second member 320 at the joint 303. As the spring cover 270 iscoupled with the third member 330, the third member 330 is coupled withthe second member 320, such that a pivoting motion can be providedbetween the second member 320 and the third member 330 relative to eachother at the joint 303.

As shown in FIGS. 3D-3E, in some embodiments, the fourth member 340 is arigid member coupled to the third member 330. For example, the fourthmember 340 is a frame-shaped member. One or more holes 346 (e.g., asshown in the inset figure of FIG. 3E) are formed on the portion 341 ofthe fourth member 340. An end portion 334 of each rigid pole 332 isinserted into a hole 346 to couple the third member 330 with the fourthmember 340. In some embodiments, the rigid pole 332 may go through thehole 346 and extend beyond the portion 341 of the fourth member 340. Thefourth member 340 also has two sides 342 and 343 that are connected bythe portion 341 and by another portion higher on the fourth member 340.The two sides 342 and 343 extend along a vertical dimension (e.g., alongZ dimension).

As shown in FIG. 3B, in some embodiments, the fourth member 340 isfurther coupled to the first member 310 via a joint 304. In someembodiments, the joint 304 is a hinge joint, such as a knuckle joint.For example, as shown in FIGS. 3D-3E, the two sides 342 and 343 of thefourth member 340 has two perforated mid portions 344. The first member310 includes a bend at a mid portion 312, and the mid portion 312 isperforated with an eye that can fit between the two perforated midportions 344 of the fourth member 340. A pin 313 fastens the mid portion312 of the first member 310 to the two perforated mid portions 344 ofthe fourth member 340 by inserting the pin 313 through the eyes to allowpivoting of the first member 310 relative to the fourth member 340 atthe joint 304.

As shown in FIG. 3B, in some embodiments, the fourth member 340 is alsocoupled to the strap connector 220 via a joint 305. For example asillustrated in FIG. 3D, two perforated projections on a portion 345 ofthe fourth member 340 are coupled to the strap connector 220 via thejoint 305. In some embodiments, the joint 305 is a hinge joint, such asa knuckle joint. For example, a portion 221 of the strap connector 220is perforated with an eye that can fit between the two perforatedprojections on the portion 345 of the fourth member 340. A pin 222fastens the portion 221 of the strap connector 220 to the perforatedprojections of the portion 345 of the fourth member 340 by inserting thepin 222 through the eyes to allow pivoting of the fourth member 340relative to the strap connector 220 at the joint 305.

As discussed above, the four-bar linkage 230 has pivoting motions at thejoints 301-305. The combination and coordination of the pivoting motionsat the joints 301-305 allow the audio headphone 200 to pivot between thein-use position 202 and the out-of-use position 204 as illustrated inFIG. 3A. Although the four-bar linkage 230 is coupled to the strapconnector 220 via the joint 301 and the joint 305 as shown in FIGS.3B-3C, it is to be understood that the four-bar linkage 230 can becoupled to the strap connector 220 in any other suitable mechanisms toprovide the pivoting motions.

FIG. 4A is a perspective view illustrating rotational motions of theaudio headphone 200 in accordance with some embodiments. In someembodiments, the strap connector 220 coupled with the four-bar linkage230 allows the headphone speaker to rotate within a vertical plane(e.g., the X-Z plane). In some embodiments, the rotation angle w of theheadphone speaker is in a range from −30° to 30° within the verticalplane (e.g., the X-Z plane). In FIG. 4A, the rotation angle w in theclockwise is positive, and the rotation angle w in the counter-clockwiseis negative.

FIGS. 4B-4E are perspective views of the mounting bracket 250 and thestrap connector 220 coupled to the four-bar linkage 230 of the audioheadphone 200. In some embodiments, the strap connector 220 comprises acylindrical component that is rotatable with respect to the mountingbracket 250. Although the strap connector 220 is shown to be acylindrical shaped component, it is to be understood that the strapconnector 220 can have any other suitable shape. For example, the strapconnector may not be rotatable with respect to the mounting bracket 250in accordance with some embodiments.

As shown in FIGS. 4C and 4D, the strap connector 220 comprises a basepart 225, a protruding part 226 that protrudes from the center of thebase part 225, and a cap 227 for coupling the mounting bracket 250 withthe strap connector 220. The base part 225 is coupled to (e.g., fixedlyconnected to) the four-bar linkage 230 to transmit the rotational motionfrom the strap connector 220 to the four-bar linkage 230 and the frame240, such that the frame 240 and the headphone speaker 210 are rotatablerelative to the mounting bracket 250 within the vertical plane (e.g.,the X-Z plane). For example, as discussed with reference to FIGS. 3D-3E,the perforated projections on the portion 345 of the fourth member 340are coupled to the perforated portion 221 of the strap connector 220 viathe joint 305. The end portion 311 of the first member 310 is coupled tothe perforated portions 223 of the strap connector 220 via the joint301.

In some embodiments, the strap connector 220 further comprises anelectrical connection mechanism to electrically couple the audioheadphone 200 with the strap for the head-mounted display. For example,two pins 228 coupling the cap 227, through an opening 254 in themounting bracket 250, with the protruding part 226 and the base part 225can provide electrical connection. The protruding part 226 and the basepart 225 may form holes 229 for inserting the pins 228 into the basepart 225. The cap 227 and/or the pins 228 may be further electricallyconnected to conductors on the strap to provide electrical connectionbetween the audio headphone 200 and the strap for the head-mounteddisplay.

As shown in FIG. 4D, the mounting bracket 250 has an aperture 251 sizedon one side to engage with the cap 227 of the strap connector 220 andsized on the other side to engage with the protruding part 226. As shownin FIG. 4E, the mounting bracket 250 also has a projecting portion 252,through which the aperture 251 extends, that projects from the otherside of the mounting bracket 250 to engage with the base part 225 andthe protruding part 226 of the strap connector 220. The cap 227 isfurther coupled to the protruding part 226 and the base part 225 throughthe aperture 251 in the mounting bracket 250 using, for example, thepins 228. This structure allows a rotational motion of the strapconnector 220 relative to the mounting bracket 250 as illustrated inFIG. 4A.

In some embodiments, the mounting bracket 250 is connectable to thestrap for a head-mounted display (e.g., as shown in FIG. 6C). Forexample, the mounting bracket 250 can be screwed to the strap via screwholes 253. The mounting bracket 250 can also be coupled to the strapusing any other suitable method, such as clipping onto the strap. Insome embodiments, the mounting bracket 250 can have any other suitableshape or structures. In some embodiments, the mounting bracket 250 mayfurther comprise a cable organizer (not shown) to store and organizeelectrical connection cables of the audio headphone 200. The mountingbracket is an example of a mount that connects to the strap. In someembodiments, the mounting bracket (or other mount) is optional for theaudio headphone 200, and the strap connector 220 is directly connectableto a strap of the head-mounted display.

FIG. 5A is a perspective view illustrating sliding motions of the audioheadphone 200 in accordance with some embodiments. FIGS. 5B-5C areperspective views of the frame 240 and the strap connector 220 coupledto the four-bar linkage 230 of the audio headphone 200. In someembodiments, the four-bar linkage 230 is coupled to the strap connector220 through an opening 241 in the frame 240. The headphone speaker 210is mounted on a portion 242 of the frame 240 from an inward side closerto the user's ear using any suitable method. For example, the headphonespeaker 210 is screwed to the portion 242 of the frame 240. As shown inFIG. 5B, the portion 242 is below the opening 241. The four-bar linkage230 is located at a portion 243 of the frame 240. The portion 242 andthe portion 243 of the frame 240 are apart from each other for a certainspace along the vertical dimension (e.g., the Z dimension).

As shown in FIG. 5B, in some embodiments, the four-bar linkage 230 islocated against an outward side of the frame 240 (e.g., the outward sideis located away from the user's ear). The strap connector 220 is locatedagainst the inward side of the frame 240 (e.g., the inward side is nearthe user's ear). In some alternative embodiments, the frame 240 mayinclude grooves (not shown) for the fourth member 340 of the four-barlinkage 230 to fit within the opening 241 of the frame 240.

In some embodiments as shown in FIGS. 5A and 5C, the frame 240 coupledwith the headphone speaker 210 can slide upward and downward withrespect to the four-bar linkage 230 and the strap connector 220. Forexample, the frame 240 may slide for a distance d in a range from 0 mmto 25 mm. In some embodiments, a friction between the four-bar linkage230 and the frame 240 is used to hold a position during sliding.

As shown in FIG. 5B, in some embodiments, the cover piece 260 is fixedlyconnected to the frame 240 to cover the frame 240 and the four-barlinkage 230 from the outward side. A space may be formed between thecover piece 260 and the opening 241 for housing the four-bar linkage230. For example, the cover piece 260 is attached to the fame 240 usingscrews 261. In some embodiments, the space between the cover piece 260and the opening 241 may further house electrical cables to provideelectrical connection between the audio headphone 200.

FIG. 6A is a perspective view of a strap system 100 for a head-mounteddisplay. FIG. 6B is a perspective view of a head-mounted display system700 comprising the strap system 100 coupled with the head-mounteddisplay 710. The strap system 100 is used for mounting the head-mounteddisplay 710 on a user's head. The strap system 100 comprises a flexiblesegment 110, a rigid guide segment 120, a semi-rigid segment 130, arigid guide segment 140, and a flexible segment 150 that are coupled toeach other to adjustably wrap around side and back portions of theuser's head.

In some embodiments, the rigid guide segments 120 and 140 areconnectable to the head-mounted display 710. The flexible segments 110and 150 are stretchable within the rigid guide segments 120 and 140respectively along the lateral dimension (e.g., Z dimension in FIG. 6A)so as to adjust the strap system 100 in accordance with the user's head.

In some embodiments, the strap system 100 may comprise a single andcontinuous semi-rigid segment 130 including two arc portions.Alternatively, the strap system 100 may comprise two separate andsymmetric semi-rigid segments each including an arc portion. As shown inFIG. 6A, the semi-rigid segment 130 comprises an arc portion 132 toextend from above a user's ears to below the user's occipital lobe toconform to a portion of the user's head.

In some embodiments, the strap system 100 comprises a rigid piece 160which can be coupled with the semi-rigid segment 130 to rest against theback of the user's head (e.g., around the user's occipital lobe). Insome embodiments, the strap system 100 includes a top strap 170 coupledto the rigid piece 160 and the head-mounted display 710 to adjustablyconform to the top of the user's head when the user is wearing thehead-mounted display. In some embodiments, the strap system 100 includesflat flexible circuits 176 and electric cables 177 extending along therigid guide segment 120, the semi-rigid segment 130, the rigid piece160, and the rigid guide segment 140, to provide power management and/orother functionalities to the head-mounted display 710 and/or the audioheadphone 200. In some embodiments, mounting devices 180 and 190 areattached to the rigid guide segments 120 and 140 respectively, toconnect the strap system 100 to the head-mounted display 710. Variousembodiments of the strap system 100 and the head-mounted display system700 are described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/603,335(Attorney Docket No. 010235-01-5016-US), filed on Jan. 22, 2015, thedisclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIG. 6C is a perspective view of a head-mounted system 720 comprisingthe head-mounted display system 700 coupled with audio headphone 200.The audio headphone 200 is integrated with the head-mounted displaysystem 700 for providing both visual and audio virtual realityexperiences to the user. The head-mounted system 720 comprises thehead-mounted display 710, the strap system 100 coupled with thehead-mounted display 710 as discussed with reference to FIGS. 6A-6B, andthe audio headphone 200 coupled with the strap system 100. In someembodiments, the strap connector 220, or the mounting bracket 250 of theaudio headphone 200 can be coupled with a rigid guide segment (e.g., therigid guide segment 140 in FIG. 6C) to mount the audio headphone 200 tothe strap system 100 as discussed with reference to FIGS. 4C-4E.Although not shown due to the perspective, the head-mounted system 720may have two audio headphones located on left and right sides to provideaudio signals to the user's left and right ears. Each of the left andright audio headphones may comprise a strap connector or a mountingbracket for coupling the audio headphone to the corresponding rigidguide segment of the stray system 100.

The audio headphone 200 as discussed in the present disclosure can becoupled to a strap system and integrated with a head-mounted display toprovide an immersive experience while the user is playing video games.The audio headphone 200 is designed to have multiple degrees of freedomto adjust the position of the audio headphone 200 to fit differentusers. The four-bar linkage coupled with the strap connector allows theheadphone speaker to pivot inward and outward relative to the user's earbetween an in-use state and an out-of-use state. The strap connectorprovides a rotating feature where the headphone speaker can rotatewithin a vertical plane. The frame coupled with the headphone speakercan slide upward and downward to adjust the height of the headphonespeaker. These multiple degrees of freedom help to ensure a good fit ofthe headphone speakers on the user's head. Also, the outward pivotingallows the headphone speakers to be removed from the user's ear withouttaking off the strap and head-mounted display.

The foregoing description, for purpose of explanation, has beendescribed with reference to specific embodiments. However, theillustrative discussions above are not intended to be exhaustive or tolimit the scope of the claims to the precise forms disclosed. Manymodifications and variations are possible in view of the aboveteachings. The embodiments were chosen in order to best explain theprinciples underlying the claims and their practical applications, tothereby enable others skilled in the art to best use the embodimentswith various modifications as are suited to the particular usescontemplated.

What is claimed is:
 1. An audio headphone to couple to a strap for ahead-mounted display, the audio headphone comprising: a headphonespeaker; a strap connector; and a four-bar linkage coupled to the strapconnector to provide movement of the headphone speaker with respect to auser's ear, the four-bar linkage comprising: a first member with a firstend portion coupled to the strap connector via a first joint; a secondmember with a first end portion coupled to a second end portion of thefirst member via a second joint; a third member with a first end portioncoupled to a second end portion of the second member via a third joint;and a fourth member with a first portion coupled to a second end portionof the third member, and with first and second sides that are connectedby the first portion and that extend to a second portion of the fourthmember, wherein the first member is further coupled to the first andsecond sides of the fourth member via a fourth joint.
 2. The audioheadphone of claim 1, wherein the second portion of the fourth member iscoupled to the strap connector via a fifth joint.
 3. The audio headphoneof claim 2, wherein: the first member includes a bend at a mid-portion;and the mid-portion of the first member is coupled to mid-portions ofthe first and second sides of the fourth member at the fifth joint. 4.The audio headphone of claim 1, wherein the third member comprises oneor more rigid poles, each of the one or more rigid poles beingsurrounded by a respective spring.
 5. The audio headphone of claim 4,wherein the third member further comprises a spring cover having one ormore grooves to accommodate the one or more rigid poles and respectivesprings.
 6. The audio headphone of claim 5, wherein the one or morerigid poles are coupled to the second end portion of the second membervia the spring cover and the third joint.
 7. The audio headphone ofclaim 4, wherein the second end portion of the third member includes anend portion of each rigid pole of the one or more rigid poles.
 8. Theaudio headphone of claim 1, wherein: the four-bar linkage providesinward and outward movement of the headphone speaker with respect to theuser's ear; and the inward and outward movement includes movementbetween a first stable position inward from a vertical plane in a rangefrom −1° to −10°, and a second stable position outward from the verticalplane in a range from 25° to 35°.
 9. The audio headphone of claim 1,further comprising: a frame, coupled to the headphone speaker, wherein:the four-bar linkage is coupled to the strap connector through anopening in the frame; and the headphone speaker is mounted on the framebelow the opening.
 10. The audio headphone of claim 9, wherein the frameis to slide upward and downward with respect to the four-bar linkage andthe strap connector.
 11. The audio headphone of claim 9, furthercomprising a cover piece fixedly attached to the frame to cover theframe and the four-bar linkage from an outward side away from the user'sear, a space being formed between the cover piece and the frame forhousing the four-bar linkage.
 12. The audio headphone of claim 9,further comprising a mount; wherein the strap connector comprises acylindrical component that is rotatable with respect to the mount. 13.The audio headphone of claim 12, wherein: the cylindrical componentcomprises a base part and a protruding part that protrudes from the basepart; and the base part is fixedly connected to the four-bar linkage totransmit rotational motion from the cylindrical component to thefour-bar linkage and the frame, such that the frame and the headphonespeaker are rotatable relative to the mount.
 14. The audio headphone ofclaim 13, wherein: the mount comprises a mounting bracket to engage theprotruding part of the cylindrical component such that the cylindricalcomponent is rotatable with respect to the mounting bracket, and themounting bracket is fixedly connectable to the strap to connect theaudio headphone to the strap.
 15. The audio headphone of claim 12,wherein the frame and the headphone speaker are rotatable relative tothe mount in a range from −30° to 30° within a vertical plane.
 16. Theaudio headphone of claim 1, wherein the strap connector comprises anelectrical connection to electrically couple the audio headphone withthe strap.
 17. An audio headphone arm to couple to a strap for ahead-mounted display via a strap connector, the audio headphone armcomprising: a four-bar linkage to provide movement of the audioheadphone arm with respect to a user's ear, the four-bar linkagecomprising: a first member with a first end portion to couple to thestrap connector via a first joint; a second member with a first endportion coupled to a second end portion of the first member via a secondjoint; a third member with a first end portion coupled to a second endportion of the second member via a third joint; and a fourth member witha first portion coupled to a second end portion of the third member, andwith first and second sides that are connected by the first portion andthat extend vertically to a second portion of the fourth member, whereinthe first member is further coupled to the first and second sides of thefourth member via a fourth joint.
 18. The audio headphone arm of claim17, wherein the third member comprises one or more rigid poles, each ofthe one or more rigid poles being surrounded by a respective spring. 19.The audio headphone arm of claim 18, wherein the third member furthercomprises a spring cover having one or more grooves to accommodate theone or more rigid poles and respective springs.
 20. The audio headphonearm of claim 19, wherein the one or more rigid poles are coupled to thesecond end portion of the second member via the spring cover and thethird joint.